What's Required Universal design for learning (UDL) is an evidenced based educational practice founded upon principles of universal design, brain research, and instructional design research. It specifically addresses curriculum development which includes the curriculum goals, instructional approach and strategies, materials and resources, and assessment. UDL in itself is not a required practice in public schools, but is presented as a recommended practice under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004). The IDEA allows state education agencies to utilize portions of the IDEA funding to develop instructional materials and assessments that incorporate universal design principles (USC 20 1400§674(b)2) and to develop the knowledge and skills of personnel (USC 20 1400§662(c)2) in the use of UDL as an instructional practice. The IDEA also provided for further research of the benefits of implementing universal design principles in the design of curriculum, instruction, and assessment (USC 20 1400§681(d)6) through the development of the Special Education Research Center(USC 20 1400§177(a)12). When UDL principles are incorporated in the initial design of curriculum, instruction and assessment with forethought in the design process, school districts proactively address the requirement to provide students with disabilities accessible instructional materials (AIM). AIM is required under both federal (34 CFR §300.172, §300.210) and state (TAC §66.121) regulations.
What We Do
The HISD Office of Special Education Services provides universal resources and materials that all campus teams can access. For teacher development, the UDL website provides teachers, parents, and students with introductory information to understand the research behind this evidenced based educational practice and the value of incorporating these practices in the instructional design process.
All students and teachers can access Kurzweil 3000 at home or at school. Kurzweil 3000 is a integrated text-to-speech, word-study, digital study aide, graphic organizing, and word processing software providing teachers with a ready means to provide multiple means of representation, mutliple means of action and expression, and multiple means of engagement particularly with text rich instructional content. Contact Beth Goodrich at egoodric@houstonisd.org for support to establish a school wide implementation plan of the Kurzweil 3000 software.
All teachers may access Goalbook enabling individualization of instructional goals aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. The Goalbook 5-Step Instructional Design Process integrates standards-based instruction and universal design for learning to develop instructional goals and to apply in the lesson planning process. Goalbook supports teachers to provide multiple pathways to engage all learners in their instruction.
UDL computer workstations have been provided for all highly specialized special education classrooms addressing the needs of students with the most significant learning challenges. These workstations were designed to facilitate access to the classroom computers and to software programs that support teachers in customizing instruction. These programs include Boardmaker Studio, Classroom Suite, and SOLO.
School personnel may access introductory professional development on Universal Design for Learning and district wide resources to implement the UDL principles in instruction through the HUB. Customized professional development is also avaialble upon request through the Office of Special Education Services.
What's Required
Universal design for learning (UDL) is an evidenced based educational practice founded upon principles of universal design, brain research, and instructional design research. It specifically addresses curriculum development which includes the curriculum goals, instructional approach and strategies, materials and resources, and assessment.
UDL in itself is not a required practice in public schools, but is presented as a recommended practice under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004). The IDEA allows state education agencies to utilize portions of the IDEA funding to develop instructional materials and assessments that incorporate universal design principles (USC 20 1400§674(b)2) and to develop the knowledge and skills of personnel (USC 20 1400§662(c)2) in the use of UDL as an instructional practice. The IDEA also provided for further research of the benefits of implementing universal design principles in the design of curriculum, instruction, and assessment (USC 20 1400§681(d)6) through the development of the Special Education Research Center(USC 20 1400§177(a)12).
When UDL principles are incorporated in the initial design of curriculum, instruction and assessment with forethought in the design process, school districts proactively address the requirement to provide students with disabilities accessible instructional materials (AIM). AIM is required under both federal (34 CFR §300.172, §300.210) and state (TAC §66.121) regulations.
What We Do
The HISD Office of Special Education Services provides universal resources and materials that all campus teams can access. For teacher development, the UDL website provides teachers, parents, and students with introductory information to understand the research behind this evidenced based educational practice and the value of incorporating these practices in the instructional design process.
All students and teachers can access Kurzweil 3000 at home or at school. Kurzweil 3000 is a integrated text-to-speech, word-study, digital study aide, graphic organizing, and word processing software providing teachers with a ready means to provide multiple means of representation, mutliple means of action and expression, and multiple means of engagement particularly with text rich instructional content. Contact Beth Goodrich at egoodric@houstonisd.org for support to establish a school wide implementation plan of the Kurzweil 3000 software.
All teachers may access Goalbook enabling individualization of instructional goals aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. The Goalbook 5-Step Instructional Design Process integrates standards-based instruction and universal design for learning to develop instructional goals and to apply in the lesson planning process. Goalbook supports teachers to provide multiple pathways to engage all learners in their instruction.
UDL computer workstations have been provided for all highly specialized special education classrooms addressing the needs of students with the most significant learning challenges. These workstations were designed to facilitate access to the classroom computers and to software programs that support teachers in customizing instruction. These programs include Boardmaker Studio, Classroom Suite, and SOLO.
School personnel may access introductory professional development on Universal Design for Learning and district wide resources to implement the UDL principles in instruction through the HUB. Customized professional development is also avaialble upon request through the Office of Special Education Services.
Forms
Resources
- UDL Guidelines
- Representation
- Action and Expression
- Engagement
Diagnosing the Curriculum- UDL Curriculum Self Check
- Curriculum Barriers Finder
Planning the UDL Curriculum- Lesson Builder
- Book Builder
- Science Writer
- Strategy Tutor
- Planning for All Learners Toolkit
- UDL Solutions Finder
- UDL Goal Setter
- UDL Class Profile Maker
- Digital Content in the Classroom
- Image Collector
- Internet Inquiry Toolkit
- Supporting, Engaging, and Enhancing Curriculum
- TES Journal
Training